Mark Robin Destura
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LIFE IS AMAZING
LIFE IN THE REMOTE
After my studies in Theology I was assigned to a remote parish about 10 hours from Manila. From feeding the chicken, repairing the church, to teaching philosophy in the college and giving retreats, life in the remote was indeed special
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LIFE IN THE CITY
Transferred to the United States, I was ordained in North Hollywood and began my ministry in California. I became an associate pastor in Sanger, Fresno and later on become a Vocation Promoter of the Rogationists in the US.
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LIFE IN ROME
After several years, I was given a possibility to do further studies in Rome. This eternal city made me appreciate more the Catholic church as its center. Taking studies in the Gregorian University and a bit of work in Vatican News.
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LIFE IS CREATIVE
Life is short, and perhaps one of the greatest mistakes we can make is to believe that creativity belongs only to a gifted few. In reality, creativity is not merely an innate talent but the willingness to learn, explore, and engage deeply with whatever fascinates us. Throughout my own journey as a missionary priest, educator, and student of social communication, I have discovered that creativity emerges whenever we remain curious and open to new experiences. Whether serving indigenous communities, accompanying people in different cultures, studying leadership and communication, or exploring the opportunities and challenges of the digital world, I have learned that life continually invites us to create, adapt, and grow. Every encounter, every mission, and every challenge becomes an opportunity to imagine new possibilities and respond in fresh ways. Life is never a finished project; it remains open, unfolding, and full of potential. Without creativity—the courage to learn, innovate, and see beyond the familiar—we risk merely existing rather than truly living. Creativity allows us to participate in God’s ongoing work of renewal, transforming ordinary experiences into moments of meaning, beauty, and hope.
LIFE WITH FRIENDS
We never choose our family, just as we do not choose the members of the religious community with whom we are called to live and serve. Yet friendship is different. Friends freely choose one another and decide to become part of each other’s lives. That is what makes friendship so precious. Looking back on my own journey as a missionary priest, serving in different countries, cultures, and communities—from indigenous peoples in the mountains to rural villages, from accompanying seminarians to engaging young people in the digital world—I have come to appreciate the unique gift of friendship. Many people have entered and remained in my life not because of blood ties, nationality, or religious assignment, but because of a mutual decision to walk together. Distance, time, and changing circumstances may separate us physically, yet true friends continue to share our joys, struggles, dreams, and prayers. They become a chosen family, a source of encouragement and strength, reminding us that authentic relationships are not measured by proximity but by the enduring bond of love, trust, and presence. In a world where people often come and go, friendship remains one of God’s most beautiful gifts because it is freely given, freely received, and faithfully sustained across the years.